Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Contributions to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Québec Pension Plan (QPP)

Definition

All contributions paid by an employee or a self-employed person to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Québec Pension Plan (QPP) during the reference period.

For the 2021 Census, the reference period for income data is the calendar year 2020, unless otherwise specified.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (100% data).

Reported for

Population 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Variable derived based on administrative tax and benefit records received from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Responses

Positive dollar value or nil

Remarks

This variable represents the net contributions; any excess contributions are excluded.

Employers' contributions to the CPP and QPP are excluded.

One must be at least 18 years old and less than 70 years old to be eligible to make contributions to the CPP and QPP.

For additional information about data collection method, coverage, reference period, concepts, data quality and intercensal comparability of the income data, refer to the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.